26 Aug GROW SITE PREPARATION

PREPARING YOUR GROW SITE FOR YOUR GREENHOUSE:
Proper preparation of your growing space is extremely important in order to make sure your season progresses without a hitch. The following are some basic considerations to keep in mind when planning your site.

Firstly, examine your proposed grow site. You need a level space to install a greenhouse efficiently. Unlevel areas can cause light leaks and will not allow the motorized arms to evenly roll up the side poly. It is also recommended that you leave a minimum 5-10 foot space around the greenhouse on all sides. This space allows you to maneuver easily around the greenhouse, without restricted any working space.

Additionally, when leveling your site, do not forget the importance of drainage. Excess water in the greenhouse can severely damage your plants. Drainage should focus on both water coming from outside (rain and snow) and inside (water soaking through plants, humidity and condensation). Perforated drainpipe can be positioned as a barrier around the structure with the apex pointing uphill toward the possible flow of water and the sides leading parallel to the sides of the greenhouse. Growers often bury the pipe in a two foot deep trench covered with drain rock in order to maximize drainage. For interior drainage, pipe should be positioned underground parallel to the greenhouse sides. How many rows of interior drainpipe are used depends on the size of the space and the grower’s preference.

The above described scenario assumes that the grower has positioned their greenhouse with the endwalls facing directly uphill and downhill. This positioning may not be optimal for all grow sites. As long as you remember to account for proper drainage when arranging the grow site, exact positioning may be left to your discretion.

Finally, a word on wind. Some grow operations have winds that always come from a consistent direction because of environmental conditions. These lucky growers can arrange their greenhouses to work with the wind, rather than against it. When working with a rain cover greenhouse, all sides are exposed to the wind. Ideally, the greenhouse should be placed so the wind flows through one endwall and out the other. With this arrangement you are achieving optimal air circulation naturally, which most growers strive to emulate with ventilation equipment. Standard greenhouses and light deprivation greenhouses have enclosed endwalls and sidewalls that can be rolled up to catch the breeze. These structures should be positioned so the wind can blow through the open sidewalls, because the ends are continually blocked.

Be mindful that every space and every grow is different. Please call our sales representatives if you have any questions about our greenhouse kits and how they will work in your space.